We’ve all experienced wanting something so bad that it hurts. People will tell you all kinds of things to make the waiting a bit less painful. You begin to fill your head with all the knowledge you can to know if it will really happen or not. And then comes the superstitions: don’t step on a crack, don’t talk about it, fingers and toes crossed. But no matter what, it just takes time to get the really special things that you want! What am I talking about? Wondering if polar bear Chinook is going to have cubs, of course! Is there anything else on our minds? Dare we hope?

As you know, Chinook and Kalluk marked Valentine’s Day 2011 by marking the start of the polar bear breeding season. If you were to ask Kalluk, he would tell you it was a successful season. The good news is that Chinook did not go back into season. This is very good, as we believe that when a female polar bear ovulates and there is fertilization, in most instances she will not cycle again that year. This is a good knowledge point. Chinook, as many of you have observed, has also been putting on weight. This would not be due to carrying cubs, as they are barely over a pound at birth, but would make sense that her metabolism would compensate to hold as much as possible to nurse and provide for cubs—another good point of knowledge.

Polar bears experience delayed implantation, so we would expect to see Chinook changing behaviorally once the fertilized egg implants, around 60 days before birth. Yes, she is beginning to seclude herself away from Kalluk and Tatqiq. If gestation is 195 to 265 days for a polar bears, then from the 10 days of breeding, Chinook would be due between August 28 and November 16. Panic—it’s already September! Breathe, breathe. With such a long gestation, she could be implanting right now with a due date of early November. Most polar bear births in North American zoos have occurred in the first week of November, the earliest was on October 13. Good things to know!

We have been collecting fecal samples for hormone analysis with the research branch of the Cincinnati Zoo and urine samples for hormone analysis with the Memphis Zoo. So far, nothing conclusive from the urine analyses, but the fecal analyses look positive for pregnancy. . .or pseudopregnancy. BUT—and yes, a big but—Chinook’s hormone profile is consistent with profiles of other polar bears that have given birth! Dare we hope?

So with knowledge in place, we’re avoiding walking under ladders, stepping on cracks, saying anything to jinx it, and above all, fingers and toes crossed. You better believe we are daring to hope that this time will be for sure!

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60 Reader Comments

Fingers and toes crossed and I am hoping. Thanks for the update JoAnne. All good things come to those who wait.

mrsg

Posted September 6, 2011 at 3:40 PM

YAY!

Bon.

Posted September 6, 2011 at 3:41 PM

JoAnne! Thank you! Thank you sooo much for the update as yes, we ALL have been sitting on pins and needles!!! Happy thoughts to lil miss chinook (and to tatqiq & kalluk too of course!) and knowing that you guys take such good care of our 3 little bears is a blessing! Thank you for all the enjoyment we get to have because of you guys!!! Ta-Ta for now!!! Take care my 3 little bears! 😉

Mary Anne from NY

Posted September 6, 2011 at 3:41 PM

Oh my Gosh I can’t wait! I am so excited finally to hear good positive news. I can’t watch the bears anymore from work …… so first thing I do when I get home is take a peek… and usually it’s bad timing since I am on the east coast. but the computer is on all weekend long waiting for a glimpse of some good camera action!So I always come here to the blog and read what’s been happening! yipeee toes, fingers eyes and anything else that can be crossed are crossed!Thank you JoAnne for all you and your staff do for the bears… the make my heart smile!

Michelle from Virginia

Posted September 6, 2011 at 3:43 PM

yipppppy…yipppppy…yaaahhhhoooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!…i hope

Lee in Vancouver

Posted September 6, 2011 at 3:51 PM

JoAnne thanks for this update. We, her fans, are always thinking positive thoughts but it is so nice to hear that you, with your knowledge, are thinking the same. That is so encouraging.

When will you be starting the ultrasounds? I love the video (from last year I think) showing the size comparison of you and Chinook and the trust she has in you.

Also loved it when you went to the Louisville Zoo and helped with Qannik. It is San Diego Zoo’s turn now.

Awaiting your next blog.

Cheryl

Posted September 6, 2011 at 4:00 PM

Yes — that loud, high pitch sound you just heard was me squeeling from Sorrento Valley!! I dare to hope… fingers crossed… not even gonna look at a black cat or come anywhere near a ladder or crack in the sidewalk!!! I feel good about this… breathe, breathe… whew!

Dianna from Ohio

Posted September 6, 2011 at 4:20 PM

JoAnne.. will you be going to Churchill this year or will you be able to keep an eagle eye on Chinook from SDZ? Maybe it’s Chinook’s turn to be Hero Mom since Bai decided to take the year off.

Chari Mercier

Posted September 6, 2011 at 5:42 PM

We would love to see cubs on the polar bear cam this year, so I am really hoping and praying that Chinook IS pregnant and will have one or two cubs sometime in the next month or two. With Mei Xiang (NZ) and Bai Yun not having cubs this year, Lun in Atlanta still raising Po, and Ya Ya in Memphis still not having an estrus cycle yet, I think that we all are pretty anxious to see little cubs on the cam so that we don’t go thru cub watching withdrawals too much. Chinook, we’re still pulling for you to have some baby polar bears soon! Make us proud, big lady!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL

Lainie

Posted September 6, 2011 at 9:32 PM

Yippy !! I had this gut feeling, thats why her keepers werent talking. =) Didnt want to jinx it ! Its much easier to tell them apart now that Chinook has gained weight.
Now I know you are going to get this question, a million times from just about everyone here, but I gotta ask anyway. Any update on if we get a den cam yet ? Ohhh, how I dare to hope for that !

Dianna from Ohio I agree with you – Bai Yun is giving Chinook the spot light this year!

Sherri Dawn

Posted September 6, 2011 at 9:59 PM

YAY!!!! Keep up the great work and yes I’m daring to hope too. I noticed Miss Chinook isolating herself from Tatqiq and Kalluk today during my first visit to the zoo I have to say that seeing these three up close and personal was a wonderful surreal spiritual experience for me. I have no other words to describe it. From the first time I discovered the cam I felt a deep spiritual/magical connection. It was a dream come true to see them in person today. JoAnn it was so nice to meet you and Stacy. That wasn’t just the icing on the cake it was the cherry on top and the hot fudge

Michelle from Buffalo, NY

Posted September 7, 2011 at 7:21 AM

I was thinking the same thing Dianna. Maybe Bai can pass the torch and let another mother have her time to shine. Go Chinook!

Heather

Posted September 7, 2011 at 8:41 AM

This is so exciting. I check on the bears everyday via your web cam They are so beautiful, and fun to watch. Thank you JoAnne for the update, such hopeful GOOD news in this crazy world we live. It surely brought a smile to my face. I will be awaiting more news.

JoAnne Simerson

Posted September 7, 2011 at 8:55 AM

Yes, I’m heading north. First up with the San Diego Zoo’s WorldWild Tours at the end of October as a tour escort, then I return home for a few weeks before heading back up to work with our conservation partner Polar Bears International. That trip, though, isn’t until after Chinook’s due dates. I hope she will clue us all in early!

Debi

Posted September 7, 2011 at 9:35 AM

I so needed to hear some possibly positive news! I love Chinook no matter what, but I just think she would make an awesome Mommy to a cub or two, and love that the mix would mean continuing the line of both bear families at SDZ. What a legacy that would be! Have you begun giving her access to the other section where she and her cub(s) would be? I am crossing my eyes, fingers and toes for good luck and am sure she will enjoy those yummy tummy test treats!

Susan(UK)

Posted September 7, 2011 at 10:44 AM

This is the third time I have crossed everything for Chinook!! Third time lucky, as the saying goes. Go for it Chinook, we want to hear and see the patter of tiny polar feet.

Marie (Montreal)

Posted September 7, 2011 at 10:45 AM

Thanks JoAnne. I always look forward to your updates!

I am daring to hope! I’ve got everything crossed! It would be so wonderful for Chinook, the zoo, polar bear conservation and all of her fans! I’ve never watched a polar cub from birth so it will be so exciting if it happens. Also considering a trip to the SDZ next year so getting to see polar cubbies would be an added bonus!

Deborah (No. Calif.)

Posted September 7, 2011 at 11:08 AM

Well, this is sounding promising! Looking forward to even more good news as time flies by… Thanks so much for the update! 😉

Mary

Posted September 7, 2011 at 11:43 AM

I have been waiting all summer for some sort of announcement about Chinook and am now anxiously awaiting to watch another untrasound.
This is such wonderful (and hopefully) news.

Nancy from Illinois

Posted September 7, 2011 at 12:51 PM

I thought she was glowing!! Fingers and toes are crossed.

Thanks for the update.

Chari Mercier

Posted September 7, 2011 at 1:43 PM

Just watched the polar bear cam, and watched who I think were Kalluk and Tatqiq having a very relaxing time in that big pool of theirs just swimming around, blowing bubbles, floating on a nice warm SD day! I’ve gotten on the cam off and on over the last few days and have seen only one polar bear laying down under a rock shelf napping and relaxing, so I’m thinking that’s Chinook. So, based on that, Chinook has her own time by herself in the yard, then Tatqiq and Kalluk have their time in the yard. Do I have that right? Just trying to figure out what their outdoor schedules are these days.
Still hoping and praying with fingers crossed for Chinook to have cubs!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL

anna

Posted September 7, 2011 at 3:38 PM

oh exciting!!! i can’t take my sneaky peeks at the polar cam from work – i can still peek at the panda cam – it has to do with the ‘new and improved’ polar cam…
and yes, when i get home – it’s too dark to see anything…
praying for positive good news!!!!!

JoAnne Simerson

Posted September 7, 2011 at 4:10 PM

Yes. More and more she will be without Kalluk and Tatqiq.

JoAnne Simerson

Posted September 7, 2011 at 4:15 PM

Actually, it is Tatqiq you will see sleeping under the rock shelf. Chinook typically rests toward the back of the exhibit by the waterfall or double keeper doors. She does spend her afternoons floating on the log in the main pool. We now let her spend some time on exhibit by herself and, of course, time in the yard and her bedrooms. We can monitor her behavior to give her what areas she wants. Right now she rarely goes into the yard at the end of the day and instead keeps herself busy making her bed in the room we are hoping she will choose as her den. If not, we have a few others for her to choose from!

Dickie

Posted September 8, 2011 at 6:29 AM

Amazing what hope can do for a person! All fingers and toes and anything else we can find are crossed here in VA.
Can’t wait to hear further news. In the mean time I will continue to get my morning fix watching the furry kids!

Diane in Victoria

Posted September 8, 2011 at 10:53 AM

“keeps herself busy making her bed in the room we are hoping she will choose as her den” WOW!

Diane

Posted September 8, 2011 at 11:23 AM

I realize I’m looking WAY ahead, but how would the polar bears be managed if there was a cub? Would Chinook and the cub be kept apart from Kalluk and Tatqiq? Though he looks like a big sweetheart, I think male bears can be a danger to cubs?

Moderator’s note: IF there were to be cubs, they and Chinook would be kept from the other adult bears.

Debi

Posted September 8, 2011 at 12:07 PM

I am watching the cameras flashing like crazy! Kalluk and Tatqiq are putting on quite a show for the public. She posed beautifully on the rock, stretching out for a nap with one leg up and he swam underwater by the glass then grabbed a cone, put it on the stone table and now talking a nap, half in the water and half out, resting his head on his cone! What a bunch!

Debi

Posted September 8, 2011 at 6:20 PM

Concerned for all of you at the SDZ with the large power outage in your area. Hoping all the animals are safe and sound during this time to diminish any danger or fear on their part. xo

JoAnne, when you dare to hope, that’s wonderful news. I dare to hope too.
I’ve crossed everything, even my eyes. With that thought, I will patiently wait for further good news from you.

Mary Anne from NY

Posted September 9, 2011 at 7:25 PM

is there a problem with the cam .. when I turn it on it’s the same pose of Kullack sitting against the glass window.. it’s been that way for 3 days now
thanks

Moderator’s note: As noted on the Polar Cam page, we are working to restore Polar Cam service for our viewers.

barbara

Posted September 9, 2011 at 9:48 PM

Like everyone else at the plunge we are crossing every thing we own. I’m so bad Chinooks all I think about every wakeing hour well not really every hour but all most lets all pray for whats best for our Fab!!!!! Three we love them all so so so much and you guys too I know I dont have to say this but can we be the first to know after JoAnn and the San Diego Zoo and Papa Kulluk and Titqiq Gosh talk about pins and neddles I soooo excited the third time is the charam love thanks every body hope to visit soon just think how crazy it would be if she has cubs remember what happened when the first pandas came crazy lines so if it happens every bodys going to want to see them when they are old enough would that be about six months old like I said many thanks love hugs and kisses my sweet lovable charming and the most cute polar bears ever!!!! Barbar in Phoenix.

soooooo happy to read this!! will wait, watch and hope and pray all goes well in the polar bear kingdom!

now— If we could get an ellie update of somekind. Nothing since May and Queen Mary.

Debi

Posted September 10, 2011 at 6:17 PM

I love watching Kalluk and Tatqiq both on their bellies, watching the other venue~arctic fox and reindeers, maybe? They must be thinking it is hunting season! Luckily for them Tatqiq grabbed a bunch of carrots to appease her appetite!

dreana

Posted September 11, 2011 at 3:53 AM

Finger crossed. So, if the hope comes true, I know that due to the danger, Kalluk won’t be allowed to meet the cub(s). It means that he won’t even know he have cub(s) just like in case of wild polar males who also are not informed about the happy event? Or he will smell out thus finding out as he is a very clever boy?
Perhaps there won’t be a complete separation only some transparent fence and he and Tatqiq will be allowed to watch the cub(s) with Chinook, it would be great if we could see all of them at the same time.

Moderator’s note: You can be sure that Kalluk would smell and hear any cubs in the vicinity.

nancy from michigan

Posted September 11, 2011 at 7:36 AM

how exciting would this be for san diego zoo and all of us out here in cyber space? VERY!!!!!!!!! this would be so exciting to have fluffy little polar bear cubs to watch grow and to be able to observe the process right here in our homes!!!!

Jan in Virginia

Posted September 12, 2011 at 8:04 AM

Just a note to JoAnn….could we please not have a repeat of the dream sequence posted last October 12th. My heart could not take it a second time.

Rose N.

Posted September 12, 2011 at 9:27 AM

I would like to share my experience at the Polar Bear Plunge.

This past Saturday, while at the Polar Bear Plunge, we were lucky to find Keeper JoAnne with Kalluck at the interactive wall. It was a fantastic experience. Seeing JoAnne standing next to gigantic Kalluck was amazing. At one point during feeding, Joanne placed a chunk of lettuce high up on the wall. Kalluck immediately stood up on his hind legs to reach for the delicious treat. Kalluck towered over everyone. It took my breath away to see this beautiful male polar bear right next to us. Watching Kalluck, delicately taking a grape from JoAnne’s fingers was unbelievable. After his treats were eaten, both JoAnne and Kalluck shared a few Eskimo kisses. It was very heartwarming.

The Polar Bear Exhibit is beautiful. Getting close to these huge, magnificent bears was an experience that I will never forget.

Moderator’s note: Thank you for sharing your day at the Plunge with us, Rose!

Sue Martz

Posted September 12, 2011 at 5:33 PM

Glad to hear that she may be pregnant. Also glad to hear that you’re one of the guides for the trip to Churchhill, we are going the end of October. I’ve wanted to take this trip for a long time. Hoping to see some polar bears up close and personal. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for Chinook. That would be too cool to watch baby polar bears!!

Grace

Posted September 14, 2011 at 1:56 PM

Kalluk LOVES those white cones!!! Before the tops got chewed off, I have even seen him using one of the cones as a “cup” and drinking water from it! He is such a smart boy.

Shirley

Posted September 15, 2011 at 10:33 AM

You are so lucky Rose to be able to visit the bears when you are able – we have to be content to watch them on the cam. The way you describe them – I feel as if I was there.

Thanks,

Grace

Posted September 15, 2011 at 1:01 PM

What’s the new prized toy that Kalluk has in his paws right now? He is clutching it tightly and does not look like he’ll let it go any time soon.

It looks kind of like a belt with a big, round, yellow button at one end.

It’s a tug toy he’s had for a few years made of fire hose and hard plastic balls. We regularly change out the enrichment toys, and this one had not been played with for several months, so we just put it in the other day!

Grace

Posted September 16, 2011 at 11:38 AM

Thanks JoAnne! I knew it was some sort of enrichment toy but hadn’t seen it before. I must have not been watching the Polar Cam regularly enough to notice that Kalluk has had it for a few years; but Kalluk sure had fun playing with the toy after its brief retirement of several months.

Grace

Posted September 16, 2011 at 7:01 PM

I love it how Princess Tatqiq wraps herself with dried palm fronds around her body; she knows how to wear her palm frond shawls elegantly and well. =)

Grace

Posted September 18, 2011 at 2:34 PM

I wonder what kind of game Kalluk is playing near the corner of the pool with a red ball in his mouth. Not whole lot of movements going on, but definitely intent on getting something accomplished there.

Diana S

Posted September 19, 2011 at 2:14 PM

Any more updates on Chinook? This is so exciting. I hope, I hope again that this is the year. And I also hope that Chinook lets you know ahead of time, JoAnne, so you are in SDZ when the big moment comes and not up north!!

Was just watching polar cam ~ Kalluk and Tatqiq are having so much fun in the pool. I love to watch those two play wrestle in the water.

Grace

Posted September 20, 2011 at 4:24 PM

The more I watch the Polar Cam, the more I learn about the personalities of each of these bears. Tatqiq, for instance, loves to arrange her napping/sleeping area with meticulous care almost to the point of obsession! Each dried palm frond is laid down scrupulously with care and attention to detail. A comfortable bed is a must for a princess bear!

dreana

Posted September 21, 2011 at 9:26 AM

Yesterday camera work and of course the bears were great. In July, when I first read Kalluk’s introduction calling him handsome I laughed, but since then I realized it is not a joke, Kalluk really is very handsome.
I saw food were thrown into the water for the bears, at first something like brokkoli, then bones, Tatqiq got two because Kalluk has gone to sleep, Chinook elsewhere, so Tatqiq undertook to chew and play with both bones. Later she began to look and stretch her neck upwards so I thought she was waiting for some additional treats but when I saw her swallowing very little things, it became clear that it must have been beetles she caught. Yesterday she had a very varied diet.

Heather

Posted September 21, 2011 at 2:04 PM

Just wondering if there is any updates on chinook? Ive been watching her and she appears to want to spend more time indoors. Is this any kind if sign? They are so precious, It must really be a thrill and joy to be able to spend so much time with them.

Kathy

Posted September 26, 2011 at 4:50 PM

I have been having chest pains all summer long and realized today it is from holding my breath wondering each day if today is the day we will hear good news. I hope there are plans for a den camera – I’m so excited!

Nancy R

Posted October 21, 2011 at 11:45 AM

What will happen when or if the cub is born? Will she be able to be around the other bears with the cub? Polar Bears are solitary, usually, and others will threaten the young.

Moderator’s note: IF a cub is born, Chinook and her offspring would have privacy from the other two bears.

Jade

Posted November 1, 2011 at 6:44 PM

i’m so jelous, how breathtaking it must be to see them close-up, i’m in Ireland and have been watching them for a few years now unfortunately i’ll have to be content with that. i can and do watch for hours, they are so playful and graceful, everything crossed over here too , best of luck.

Bayousara

Posted October 24, 2012 at 9:00 AM

Do captive Polar Bears generally accept their cubs and nuture them? I have all fingers and goes crossed.

Poar Bear Team

Posted October 24, 2012 at 11:26 AM

Yes, many polar bear moms do well with cubs if the environment is set up appropriately so they feel safe and secure. When they don’t take care of them, it could be for many different reasons: inexperience, perceived threats, something not right with the cub, etc. There is still very much we don’t know about what helps females reproduce successfully in zoos, but we are trying to learn more and more every day.

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